Case Study: Coaching an Ocean Rowing Team for the World’s Toughest Row – New York to London
Background
I was approached by an ocean rowing team preparing to tackle the world’s toughest row, a gruelling 3,700-mile journey from New York to London. The team, consisting of four highly motivated athletes, were determined to push their limits in what would be one of the most physically and mentally demanding challenges of their lives. While they had no shortage of drive and individual capability, it became apparent early on that their ability to function effectively as a unit under extreme conditions needed refinement. My role as their coach was to enhance their team dynamics, particularly how they communicated and responded to adversity during the row.
Initial Assessment
The team members each had strong personal motivations for taking on the row, ranging from testing their physical endurance to raising awareness for environmental causes. However, there was little emphasis on the collective “why” — the shared purpose that would unify them when the inevitable storms, exhaustion, and mental strain would arise. Furthermore, while they were resilient as individuals, their approach to team communication and crisis response under duress was not well-structured. Left unaddressed, these gaps could result in internal conflict, poor decision-making, and, in extreme cases, dangerous situations.
Coaching Approach
1. Establishing a Shared Purpose To create cohesion, we worked intensively on aligning the team’s personal motivations into a collective “why.” This involved discussions on what the success of this journey would mean, not just for them individually, but as a team. Through guided reflection sessions, the team developed a collective vision: they would not just cross the Atlantic to break records or make a statement, but to symbolise resilience, teamwork, and the power of human connection. This unified vision became the foundation of their mental preparation. It would serve as a compass during the most challenging moments, helping to defuse potential conflict and reinforce their commitment to each other.
2. Scenario Planning for Crisis Situations The ocean is an unpredictable environment, and we knew the team would face numerous challenges, from physical exhaustion and dehydration to dangerous weather conditions and technical malfunctions. We devised a comprehensive series of scenario-based drills designed to simulate difficult circumstances the team might encounter. Some of these included:
- Equipment failure in rough seas.
- Medical emergencies, such as seasickness or injury.
- Navigational errors due to fatigue or loss of focus.
- Prolonged periods of adverse weather, such as storms or unrelenting headwinds.
In each scenario, the team was trained not just to respond practically, but to focus on how they communicated and made decisions under pressure. Clear, concise communication protocols were established to ensure that no matter how tired or stressed they were, they would have a structured way to address and resolve crises.
3. Developing Team Communication Under Stress Through our coaching sessions, we practised various communication techniques designed for extreme environments. The key was to help the team express concerns, frustrations, or suggestions without letting emotions take over. I introduced a “signal system,” a method where, in moments of heightened stress, team members could give clear non-verbal signals to indicate their emotional or physical state without interrupting critical tasks. This method would allow them to acknowledge issues without derailing focus, creating a balanced approach to managing stress.
Additionally, we worked on structured debriefs after each training row. In these debriefs, we focused on what went well, what could be improved, and how the team could better support one another moving forward. The goal was to create a space for honest, constructive feedback while reinforcing the idea that criticism was not personal but a vital part of collective growth.
4. Mental Resilience and Personal Responsibility Each member of the team had their own mental challenges to overcome. For some, it was managing anxiety about the unknown; for others, it was about staying focused during moments of extreme fatigue. We worked on developing individual strategies for coping with stress and exhaustion, such as mindfulness techniques, breathing exercises, and visualisation of success.
Crucially, I helped the team understand the importance of personal responsibility — how each person’s mental and physical state directly affected the group’s success. This was reinforced with the idea that they were not just rowing for themselves but for each other. When fatigue or frustration set in, they needed to be able to shift their mindset from “I’m tired” to “I’m tired, but I need to be strong for my team.”
5. Strengthening Conflict Resolution Tactics Given the close quarters and prolonged periods of stress, it was inevitable that disagreements or tensions would arise. My coaching focused on heading off conflict before it could escalate into something detrimental. We implemented a “pause and reflect” technique: when tensions flared, team members would use a pre-agreed signal to call for a brief, silent pause, allowing them to collect their thoughts before responding. This break in action was designed to reduce knee-jerk reactions and give the team time to refocus on their shared objective.
Results
By the time the team was ready to launch their row from New York, they had not only physically prepared but had also transformed into a highly cohesive unit. They had a clear collective purpose, robust communication systems, and had rehearsed responses to various crisis scenarios.
During the row itself, they faced a number of significant challenges, including severe storms and navigational issues that set them back by days. However, their ability to communicate calmly, make decisions collectively, and return to their shared “why” allowed them to overcome these difficulties without significant internal conflict.
Their success was not only a testament to their physical capabilities but to their ability to function as a team under extreme conditions. The principles of clear communication, mental resilience, and shared purpose allowed them to complete the row in record time, earning global recognition for their achievement.
Conclusion
Coaching this ocean rowing team highlighted the critical importance of aligning personal motivations with a collective mission in extreme environments. By developing their communication and conflict resolution skills, and by preparing them for the mental challenges ahead, we turned a group of talented individuals into a unified, resilient team. This journey underscores the idea that even in the most physically demanding endeavours, it is the strength of the team dynamic that ultimately determines success.
Client Testimonial
Trevor was pivotal in the success of our world’s first expedition, rowing from New York to London and our more recent ocean rows. Although I have had motivated and competent teams, Trevor has helped us focus and align our objectives in a way that reduced issues or confrontation onboard and helped us develop communication skills to discuss our issues in a clear and productive way without recourse or judgement.
Now, prior to any team expedition, I look to Trevor to help me build a team ethos with aligned objectives, helping the team develop ‘off the pitch’ with softer skills. Something we focus on equally as indepth as the physical skill-sets required to successfully complete the expedition.
Matt Mason, Multiple World Record Ocean Rower.
